Journal of Dental Research, Vol 68, 1360-1365, Copyright © 1989 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Modeling of jaw-head-neck dynamics during whiplash
K. Schneider, R. F. Zernicke and G. Clark
Department of Kinesiology, University of California, Los Angeles 90024-1568.
Clinicians report signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
disorders in many patients who have experienced automobile rear-end
collisions involving neck hyperextension (whiplash). In order for
relationships between TMJ disorders and rear-end collisions to be explored,
the dynamic response of the jaw to hyperextension of the neck associated
with automobile rear-end collisions needs to be quantified. To achieve this
goal, we extended an existing head-neck model by adding a movable jaw, and
performed preliminary computer simulations of the jaw movements during
rear-end collisions at 6.71 ms-1 (15 mph) and 13.41 ms-1 (30 mph). The
initial computer simulations produced promising kinematic and dynamic
results, such as: relative angle between the head and jaw (jaw-opening
angle), predicted TMJ torques, and displacement and linear acceleration of
the jaw's center of mass. However, the absolute values and time course of
our results must be viewed with caution, since the jaw model has not yet
been validated with experimental data. Nevertheless, the modeling approach,
detailed in this study, shows good promise for eventually providing
quantitative dynamic information about the jaw-head-neck system during
impulsive loading.
